Video summary

Everything You Need To Know About Board Game Design

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas / lessons conveyed

  • Who the speaker is & why the channel exists

    • Adam Porter is a UK-based game designer whose published games include ZingZang (released at Essen Spiel via Brain Games) and earlier titles (Big Bazaar, Doodle Rush, Picoko, Throne, Compramat, Quassel, Zuligans).
    • He explains that he has documented his entire journey into professional board game design on this YouTube channel.

  • The video’s purpose

    • Acts as a “signpost”: it points viewers to other videos that answer most questions about the board game design process and industry workflow.

  • Key stages of the board game design and publishing journey (themes repeatedly emphasized)

    • Pitching publishers (process, materials, choosing publishers, meeting strategy, and relationship-building)
    • Protecting your idea (copyright/patents/trademarks; “don’t worry too much” with nuance)
    • Prototyping and getting started (inspiration, rapid prototyping, play testing)
    • Play testing methodology (progression from solo to blind tests; not necessarily “hundreds”)
    • Rule writing (clear, concise, compelling rulebooks)
    • Publishing choices (traditional publisher vs self-publishing/crowdfunding)
    • Product design and market fit (hooks; hooks vs novelty; iteration; positioning early)
    • Learning from failure & audience fit (a game “bombed” due to not considering audience)
    • Exploring game mechanisms and using analysis of prior games to find market gaps and new twists

Methodologies / instruction-like content (detailed bullet points)

Play testing progression (from least to most rigorous)

Adam describes play testing as a staged process:

  1. Start with solo tests
    • Test on scraps of paper (early, fast, concept-level checks).
  2. Next: tests with family and friends
    • Gather feedback from people you know.
  3. Then: tests with a wider pool of strangers
    • Ideally include other designers for more informed critique.
  4. Finish: blind tests
    • Conduct tests without the designer present.

Rethinking the “hundreds of play tests” rule

  • The common advice “run hundreds of play tests” is described as:
    • Often unrealistic
    • Sometimes unnecessary
    • Potentially overwhelming for new designers
  • He points to a video that provides context and guidance on “how many play tests is enough.”

Publisher pitching workflow (a practical approach mentioned)

Adam outlines a repeatable pitching preparation method for Essen Spiel:

  • Scheduling
    • He requests meetings shortly before Essen Spiel and arranges them in advance.
  • Scale
    • This year he scheduled 30 meetings.
  • Pitch package
    • Include:
      • A sell sheet (single page with brief game info)
      • A 2-minute sizzle reel (promotional gameplay basics video)
  • Follow-through
    • The goal is to secure meetings and then use the meeting time to sell the concept.

Pitch meeting constraint and strategy (high-level)

  • Meetings are typically 30 minutes or less.
  • He provides further guidance by pointing to his pitching-focused videos:
    • “Pitch Perfect” (process and approach)
    • “How Not to Pitch, don’t be this guy” (common errors, illustrated by a sketch)

Notable concepts emphasized

  • Pitching as an experience you can learn from
    • He discusses candid “video diary” style recordings of pitching as a newcomer.
  • Idea protection has nuance
    • General guidance: don’t over-worry, because sharing prototypes has benefits—while also acknowledging the legal/practical complexities.
  • Design thinking and product design
    • Later work on the channel focuses on intended audience earlier in the process, described as the core of design thinking.
  • Hooks and market positioning
    • In a crowded market, the “single most important aspect” is creating a strong hook.
    • He contrasts:
      • innovation-as-everything vs.
      • gradual iteration to build familiarity (lowering barriers for players)
    • He also stresses positioning early so projects don’t get ignored.
  • Audience-first design (failure lesson)
    • He describes a difficult-to-make video where a game “bombed” because he didn’t consider the audience.

Speakers / sources featured (identified in the subtitles)

  • Adam Porter (primary speaker; UK game designer and YouTuber)
  • Rob Fisher (named as Adam’s friend and collaborator; co-discussed collaboration approach)
  • Brain Games (publisher; associated with ZingZang release at Essen Spiel)
  • Essen Spiel (convention mentioned; venue for meetings and release context)
  • The Happy Puzzle Company (publisher/company associated with titles)
  • Game Found (crowdfunding platform mentioned)
  • Kickstarter (crowdfunding platform mentioned)
  • UK Games Expo (event mentioned where viewers met him)
  • Parable for Game Designers (conference/talk mentioned as a source of a talk)
  • Game titles referenced (not speakers)
    • The Genius Gems, Compramat, Quassel, ZingZang, Big Bazaar, Doodle Rush, Picoko, Throne, Zuligans, Quzzle, Zogglagons

Original video